A violin virtuoso plans to replace the airport cacophony of taxis and airplanes with the exquisite tones of a 285-year-old violin to give thanks to the cab driver who reunited him with the lost instrument.

We've long heard that when musicians improvise, they're engaged in an intensely personal pursuit. Scientists now say that's true. When musicians "jam," they're using the same part of the brain that responds to a simple request: Tell me about yourself.

In his new role as U.N. messenger of peace, George Clooney was playing himself. The 46-year-old actor's arrival Thursday was greeted with "oohs" and "ahs" from dozens of people, mostly women, who crowded the lobby entrance for a glimpse and cellphone picture of him.